Communities’ Adaptation Strategies to Environmental Changes Induced by Gas Flaring in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed communities’ adaptation strategies to environmental changes induced by gas flaring in Delta State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was administered to 738 respondents in direct proportion to the population size in fifteen sampled communities within ≤2.6km and 2.6-4 km radius of flare sites with a view to elicit information on adaptation strategies to gas flaring. Household heads were sampled in every third house along identified major streets in each community. The sets of data obtained were statistically treated using tables, simple percentages and principal components analysis (PCA). Data obtained from the field on adaptation strategies to gas flaring were used as variable inputs for principal components analysis (PCA). PCA was performed using the SPSS package version 20.0 for Windows; components were extracted using the principal component analytical method and extraction of significant factors was done with a minimum acceptable eigenvalue > 1 (Kaiser, 1958; Gaur & Gaur, 2006), by using the Kaiser’s criterion. The age of respondents was 36+3.8 years, 59.0% were males, 38.5% earned <₦10, 000 monthly, 30.1% had post-secondary education and 28.3% were traders. Use of hand fans(82.9%), use of electric fans (78.6%), opening of windows and doors (70.8%), bathing frequently (67.7%), and taking shelter under trees (28%) were the major adaptation strategies to heat. Adaptation strategies to farming were late planting (76.6%), planting of fast maturing crop varieties (76.4%), increased land for production (65.3%), seasonal migration (42.2%) and use of fertilizer (35.4%). Gas flaring has impacted negatively on the people of the Niger Delta. There is a need to ensure that improved environmental standards are adopted to enhance the living conditions of the people.